May 9, 200619 yr It's time to replace the struts on my 97 Impreza, and I'm thinking of using Forester struts to get a little extra clearance. I've read a bunch of the threads about using Forester struts on Imprezas, and it seems like everybody uses longer struts and new springs. I'm on a tight budget and would prefer to use my OEM springs on the new, longer struts. Will this cause a problem? Also, I remember reading that the strut caps for the Forester use a different bolt pattern than those on the Impreza. Is there any problem using the old strut caps on the new struts? I want to make sure that this won't affect the driveability of the car. This is not an offroader---I just want a little extra clearance when driving on sketchy dirt roads. If the Forester struts require removing the sway-bars, cause clunking noises, etc, then I'll just stick with Impreza struts. Is there a better choice for struts that will lift the Impreza, but not as much as the Forester struts will? Legacy or WRX struts, maybe?
May 9, 200619 yr Outback Sport struts? The Outback sport is an Impreza wagon, so it should bolt right up. Or am I smoking something?
May 9, 200619 yr Author Outback Sport struts? The Outback sport is an Impreza wagon, so it should bolt right up. Or am I smoking something? My impression is that the OBS and the regular Impreza wagon have the same struts, but the OBS has slightly larger tires. Anyone know if this is true?
May 9, 200619 yr OBS and Forester also have spacers (a lift kit) in suspension and drivetrain, like the big OB. Replacing struts alone might affect the longevity of driveshafts, although I heven't seen any data on that.
May 9, 200619 yr Author I checked some part #s, and the OBS and Imp Wagon (w/ABS) from the late 90's have the same struts.
May 10, 200619 yr OE catalog, such as seen at subarugenuineparts.com and elesewhere, shows struts and springs that are specific to OBS.
May 10, 200619 yr Author OE catalog, such as seen at subarugenuineparts.com and elesewhere, shows struts and springs that are specific to OBS. The parts for the Impreza w/ ABS is the same as the OBS. Non-ABS Imprezas have a different part #.
May 10, 200619 yr Which year did you look up and in what catalog? The Subaru catalog shows different parts for Impreza Outback, except 1995-96 when there was no mechanical difference from the regular wagon.
May 10, 200619 yr I did the same thing just take forester struts, 98-00' and they'll fit just rip out the struts, pop the springs & caps off and replace the strut easy as that. see this: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=50268
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